Hauxton Extra Care
Liz Lake Associates were thrilled to be novated to Hill Contractors Ltd to discharge planning conditions for BPHA’s recent Extracare scheme in Hauxton, Cambridge. The scheme involved a comprehensive landscape design to fashion a network of external spaces which provide a caring, therapeutic and sociable environment for residents, visitors and staff members to enjoy. The key elements of the scheme include:
- A clearly defined visual link to the adjacent Public Open Space encourages movement and interaction
- A high quality multi-functional space to the north east of the building contains planters and other opportunities for residents to shape their own environment and partake in social and therapeutic horticulture.
A hard landscape courtyard to the North West entrance announces arrival and reinforces orientation. A meandering path with regular eating points provides a safe circulation route to encourage activity and relaxation, contemplation and ‘catching up’ with friends met on the way. Individual terraces to the ground floor apartments provide more intimate, semi-private space for residents’ enjoyment of the rich planting palette providing a range of sensory and seasonal experiences. A more natural green space to the west of the building is reinforced through wildflower planting and provides a rich habitat for biodiversity. Tree planting to the eastern edge softens and filters views whilst simultaneously providing structure to the planting scheme. A café is served by a striking public roof terrace which fuses a materials palette of contemporary timber and stone with raised planters overflowing with colour and texture. The space acts as a catalyst for activity and encourages wider community interaction. A separate, resident’s only roof garden offers a safe space to appreciate elevated views of the surrounding area. To the site’s perimeter a combination of railings and hedges provide an attractive and robust boundary.
